Wolfsbane residue on Ming dynasty surgeon’s tools may be oldest evidence of anesthesia

Scientists found aconitine traces on iron scissors and tweezers from Ming physician Xia Quan’s tomb.

The toxic plant compound likely came from wolfsbane and was used as a topical anesthetic for minor surgery.

This is the oldest direct physical evidence of anesthetic use in ancient China.

The discovery supports historical accounts of advanced surgical knowledge in the Ming dynasty.